ISI Young Statisticians’ Event

Paula Moraga, Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor of Statistics

King Abdullah University of Science
and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

   paulamoraga.bsky.social
   www.PaulaMoraga.com

       

About me

Education

• PhD Statistics, University of Valencia, 2012
  
• MSc Biostatistics, Harvard University, 2011
• MSc Mathematics, University of Valencia, 2006
  Erasmus Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Experience

Science is better for having diverse people with different ideas and working styles, so do not feel the need to follow the way others work or their pace of career advancement

Research

Books

https://www.paulamoraga.com/book-geospatial/

      https://www.paulamoraga.com/book-spatial/

Spatio-temporal modeling of diseases

Spatio-temporal disease intensity

SIR+LGCP model allows us to identify high-risk locations and vulnerable populations to develop better strategies for disease prevention and control

Spatial data misalignment

In disease surveillance, we need to analyze data available at different spatial and spatio-temporal resolutions and that come from different sources

Downscaling satellite data

Disaggregating area-level data

High-resolution estimates permit to find differences in disease risk within study regions, and identify areas and groups of people at higher risk

Dengue epidemic in Brazil, 2024

Dengue-tracker provides predictions of number of dengue cases per state by combining official and Google Trends information and help decision-making

As a statistician, I develop statistical methods and computational tools for health surveillance

But I am never alone in this work. I collaborate with modelers, epidemiologists, computer scientists, and public health professionals

The team behind the project is just as important as the project itself

Visit Fiocruz and InfoDengue group, Brazil

Visit Ministry of Health and University, Malaysia

My advice is to build connections with other researchers and explore new collaborations

Pursue not just the questions that interest you, but also opportunities to work with people you enjoy collaborating with

Build a diverse network that supports you both professionally and personally as your career evolves, and remember to pay it forward by offering support to those around you

Letten Prize

I was honored to receive the Letten Prize for my work on disease surveillance by the Letten Foundation and the Young Academy of Norway

Letten Prize Day 2023. The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
Photo Credit: Thomas Barstad Eckhoff

I strongly encourage you to apply for grants, fellowships, research internships, and scientific prizes. These are fantastic opportunities to increase your visibility, and advance scientific progress and its positive impact on our world

We are constantly inspired by the passion, innovation, and leadership of early career researchers like you. You are now in a fantastic stage, where your skills and innovative ideas can really make a difference

Believe in yourself, follow your passions with excitement, and enjoy the journey of discovery

Join my research group at KAUST!

KAUST is an international university located on the shores of the Red Sea

All students receive a living allowance, free housing and medical coverage

👩‍💻 Potential research areas include the development of innovative statistical and computational methods for health and environmental applications

💪 Work closely with collaborators at KAUST and around the world

✈️ Generous travel funding for conferences and collaborative work

✨ Excellent research environment. Superb equipment and research facilities

    paulamoraga         www.PaulaMoraga.com         www.kaust.edu.sa     

Thanks!

Young Statisticians Committee